Hi Mike, ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Fry" <fredbonzo@iafrica.com> > This question is general in nature, but since it applies to a London church, I > thought I'd post it here. > > To the best of my knowledge, after the calling of Banns, the couple have/had 3 > months in which to get married. Was this also true in 1795, the year in which I > have come across a small anomaly for some of my ancestors. > > Banns were called in St Saviour, Southwark, for Charles HEAD and Sally FOWLER on > Feb 8th, 15th and 22nd. The subsequent marriage (same church) then doesn't take > place until 1st Sep 1795. I can find no record of any other Banns having being > called. > > Was this marriage actually valid?> > > -- > Regards,> Mike Fry> Johannesburg Yes. Hardwicke's Marriage Act of 1753 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/1753.htm did not include a time limit for the validity of a Banns certificate. This was introduced by the second Marriage Act of 1823 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/alm1823.htm "IX. And be it further enacted, That whenever a Marriage shall not be had within Three Months after the complete Publication of Banns, no Minister shall proceed to the Solemnization of the same until the Banns shall have been republished on Three several Sundays, in the Form and Manner prescribed in this Act, unless by Licence duly obtained according to the Provisions of this Act." and has remained at three months ever since. Kind regards, John Henley